I welcome today's arrest of Pres. of
#Grocka
Municipality, suspected for ordering an arson attack on house of
#MilanJovanovi
ć in
#Serbia
. I commend the strong stance of President
@avucic
in saying that journalists will be protected & violence against them punished.
#JournoSafe
I am shocked by
#Belarus
court decision to sentence Polish TV channel TVP journalist Irina Slaunikova to 5 years in prison. Journalism is neither a crime nor a sign of extremism. I call for the release of all Belarusian journalists in jail, condemned in retaliation of their work.
Being very concerned about the negative impact that the extradition of
@wikileaks
founder Julian
#Assange
can have on
#mediafreedom
and investigative journalism, I call upon the
#UK
authorities not to extradite Assange to the
#US
. My full statement here 👇
Shocked by horrific murder of investigative journalist Victoria Marinova in
#Bulgaria
. Urgently call for a full and thorough investigation. Those responsible must be held to account.
#journosafe
#SOFJO
I call on the
#UK
authorities not to extradite
@wikileaks
editor
#JulianAssange
to the
#US
, at Monday's hearing. The numerous charges and disproportionate sentence he faces could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and press freedom. See full statement here:
I call for an investigation into the temporary detention
by police of
@ZDF
team in
#Dresden
filming an extreme-right demonstration.
Journalists must be free to cover all public demonstrations as a matter of
public interest.
@DJVde
Terrible news: one of the last beacons of good journalism in
#Russia
,
@novaya_gazeta
, led by Nobel Prize winner
#DmitryMuratov
, had to decide to suspend its activities until the end of Russia's invasion of
#Ukraine
, due to laws & practices that continue to suppress
#mediafreedom
.
Shocked by video posted online which is an open call for violence against journalists of
@BIRNSrbija
& Slobodan Georgiev. Portraying journalists as traitors in
#Serbia
can seriously endanger their safety. I call on law enforcement authorities to urgently investigate.
#JournoSafe
I condemn the death threats to
@novarsonline
journalists Ivan Ivanović
@veceivan
& Zoran Kesić in
#Serbia
. It is concerning that such threats were published on a national media outlet. I call for an investigation & protection of journalists against such unacceptable intimidation.
For my last tweet as
@OSCE_RFoM
, I wish to thank all the courageous,
committed and talentuous media freedom advocates and journalists I had the honour to meet, work with, and defend for the past three years. Keep up the fight ! You are a pilar of democracy. Hope to see you soon.
Appalled by the decision to re-arrest
#AhmetAltan
in
#Turkey
, one week after he was released. This is a terrible setback and can only deepen the media freedom crisis in the country. I call for the decision to be reversed. See full statement here:
Saddened about the tragic death of
#Azerbaijan
media workers Maharram Ibrahimov & Siraj Abishov. I extend my sympathy and condolences to their relatives & colleagues. I hope the investigation into the case will ensure full accountability for their death.
I strongly condemn, and urge Serbian authorities to swiftly investigate all threats including the death and rape threats against journalist
@TVojtehovski
and her daughter on Twitter.
#Journosafe
#SOFJO
All detained & sentenced journalists & media workers in
#Belarus
should be freed immediately & unconditionally, I wrote to Foreign Affairs Minister Vladimir Makey. The systematic clampdown on media is a gross violation of
#OSCE
commitments. Read here ⬇ ️
I will closely follow investigation into horrific murder of investigative journalist Viktoria Marinova in
#Bulgaria
.
#noimpunity
for killers of Journalists. Need to quickly determine if linked to her work. Full statement:
I condemn the targeting of six journalists in
#Spain
, after posters labeling them as "information terrorists". I call on the authorities to investigate the case thoroughly and ensure a safe working environment ahead of elections. See full statement here:
Dutch journalist Peter R. de Vries has been brought to the hospital with severe wounds after being shot in Amsterdam,
#Netherlands
tonight. I am appalled by this horrible news, a terrible blow to
#mediafreedom
. I hope
@PeterRdeV
will recover and that justice will take its course.
I am deeply shocked by today’s news. Journalist Giorgos Karaivaz was shot dead in front of his home in
#Greece
in broad daylight. Journalists always should be safe to their work. The perpetrators must be brought to justice, there can be no impunity for such heinous crimes.
Alarmed by yesterday’s arrest of
@novars
journalist
@AnaLalicNS
for her reporting on
#COVID19
in
#Serbia
. Despite being released today, it is very problematic that police seized her laptop and mobile phones. Journalists need to be able to do their job freely.
I will closely monitor Grigoris Dimitriadis' lawsuit against Reporters United website,
@EFSYNTAKTON
& journalists Nikolas Leontopoulos & Thodoris Chondrogiannos, for reporting about alleged dealings with a Predator spyware seller. The law must not be abused to stifle the media.
Tweet threatening journalist Valerie Hopkins
@VALERIEin140
by
@Cvetin
is shameful and unacceptable. All threats against journalists, especially gender-based incitements to violence against female journalists are irresponsible.
@Cvetin
must remove his tweet immediately.
#SOFJO
I am concerned by a number of arrests today in
#Turkey
, including of award-winning film-maker & journalist #ÇiğdemMater among other academics & civil society.
#Freedomexpression
should not be criminalised. I call for their immediate release and respect for their rights.
Today's ECHR judgment on
#AnnaPolitkovskaya
’s murder is very important. Court ruled
#Russia
“failed to take adequate investigatory steps to find the persons who had commissioned the murder." I call on authorities to spare no efforts to bring masterminds to justice &
#endimpunity
.
Today’s police searches targeting Belarusian journalists is another example of the negative trend regarding media freedom in
#Belarus
. I urgently call on the authorities to bring their policies and practices in compliance with their
#OSCE
commitments:
Alarmed by detention of several journalists, in particular Sergey Smirnov
@mediazzzona
, Tatyana Felgengauer
@t_felg
and Aleksandr Plyushchev
@echomskru
, in Moscow,
#Russia
, picketing in solidarity with their colleague Ilia Azar
@novaya_gazeta
. I call for their immediate release.
The shutdown of Belarusian Association of Journalists
@baj_by
is a next deplorable step limiting free media in
#Belarus
. I once again call upon the authorities to implement their OSCE commitments on freedom of expression &
#mediafreedom
.
#BAJ
My statement:
Revoking of press pass of
@CNN
's Jim
@Acosta
by
@WhiteHouse
is regrettable. Journalists must be allowed to ask probing questions and hold leaders to account. Call for it to be reversed and not to call journalists enemy of the people.
#USA
Today’s blocking of entire Nasha Niva portal, along with harassment & detention of its journalists, is yet another highly disproportionate interference with freedom of expression in
#Belarus
. Parallel searches in the offices of regional media outlets adds to this grim situation.
I am saddened by today’s court ruling, convicting
@tutby
journalist Katerina
#Borisevich
to 6 months imprisonment. This is yet another blow to media freedom in
#Belarus
. There must be no criminal prosecution for providing information of legitimate public interest.
Horrified by report that well-known Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko was shot and killed in his home in
#Kyiv
. I call on
#Ukraine
authorities to conduct immediate & full investigation. My thoughts are with journalist’s family.
I am worried about the increase of violent incidents against journalists covering
#GeorgeFloydProtests
in the
#USA
, by the police and demonstrators. I call on the authorities to exercise restraint and to ensure that journalists can report safely on public protests.
#JournoSafe
I am very concerned after accounts that journalists & their equipment were targeted during last night's unrest in the
#US
. It cannot be overstated: the media are crucial in a democracy & should be able to report safely on such events. Read our publication:
Relieved that Arkadiy
#Babchenko
is alive! I deplore the decision to spread false information on the life of a journalist. It is the duty of the state to provide correct information to the public.
Amidst ongoing clampdown on media in
#Belarus
& severe restrictions on freedom of expression, I find today's detention of Telegram channel editor Raman
#Pratasevich
& the circumstances around it very concerning. The authorities must show restraint. I will closely follow the case.
Good news from
#Turkey
: the Supreme Court has finally ordered the release of journalist
#AhmetAltan
. He spent more than four years unjustified in prison. I hope this will be regarded as a clear signal that the media must always be able to work freely and without fear of reprisal.
Today, we commemorate the courageous reporter
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia
from
#Malta
, who was killed 4 years ago for her work.
A stark advocate for the freedom of expression, she refused to be diverted from pursuing the truth, despite all the physical and legal threats against her.
Concerned over impact on distribution of Serbian print media in Kosovo following the introduction of trade measures. The media and access to information should not be a collateral victim of the current situation. See my full statement here:
#WorldPressFreedomDay
#WPFD2020
is a reminder that our societies cannot thrive without a free press. In times of global pandemic we need free media and journalists working unhindered to provide us with reliable information. Watch my video:
The report on the 2017 murder of journalist
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia
in
#Malta
speaks clear language: the State did not recognize the risk to her life & failed to take appropriate measures. Now, the authorities should implement fully the recommendations. Read
Today, I pay tribute to journalist Lyra McKee on the one-year anniversary of her murder in
#UK
. We must always remember her. Despite progress in the investigation into her death, alarming threats remain for journalists covering paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland.
Around 400 journalists have been killed in the OSCE region in the past 25 years. Less than 15% of these murders have been solved. Impunity is one of the major challenges to
#SafetyOfJournalists
: Journalists can never be safe if those who kill & attack them feel safe.
#EndImpunity
I am concerned about media reports that former art director of Zaman daily
@fevziyazici
, imprisoned since July of this year, was placed in solitary confinement and reportedly threatened at police headquarters. I urge
#Turkey
to release all journalists in prison.
Today, I present my first findings to the
#OSCE
Permanent Council. In the past period, I have witnessed a worrying number of developments that outright block media freedom and its essential societal function, and that slowly dismantle media pluralism in the
@OSCE
region.
According to the Ministry of Interior of
#Turkey
42,406 social media accounts were investigated and legal action was taken against 18,376 persons in 2018. I am dismayed by such huge figures. Freedom of expression online should be respected and not criminalised.
I am seriously concerned about the safety of journalists in the context of the
#Russia
military action against
#Ukraine
. Media professionals in areas of armed conflict need to be considered and protected as civilians. My statement:
I strongly condemn murder of investigative reporter
#JanKuciak
in
#Slovakia
. We cannot accept journalists to become regular targets for attacks and killings because of their investigation on corruption. My statement ▶️
#EndImpunity
Each time a journalist is killed, a pillar of democracy crumbles. I call on Maltese authorities to ensure that all those involved in this killing face justice. My statement on 1st anniversary of
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia
's murder:
The dire situation of Nobel Peace Prize laureate
@mariaressa
who faces immediate imprisonment for her journalistic work painfully illustrates that we need to step up our efforts to defend media freedom – without free media, there is no security or peace.👇
I am deeply worried by disappearance of Stefan Cvetković last night in Bela Crkva in
#Serbia
. I urge authorities to do their utmost to find him. See my full statement:
A new step in the clampdown on
#Belarus
media today, with authorities blocking
@tutby
media portal & raiding offices & homes of editors, on alleged tax evasion & media legislation violations. The media freedom situation is extremely alarming. My statement:
Today I sent a letter to Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan calling for release of blogger
#MehmanHuseynov
and dropping of criminal charges against him. Full statement:
I pay tribute to investigative journalist
#J
ánKuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová on the third anniversary of their murders, in
#Slovakia
. Safety of journalists is a prerequisite for
#mediafreedom
. There can be no impunity for killings and attacks against journalists.
I strongly condemn today's killing in
#Irpin
of Brent Renaud, a
#US
filmmaker and journalist. He is another casualty of the horrible ongoing
#Russia
invasion in
#Ukraine
and his death a blow to
#mediafreedom
. My deepest condolences and sympathies go to his family and colleagues.
Today's sentencing of
@Belsat_TV
journalists
#Andreyeva
&
#Chultsova
for doing their job is unacceptable. Belarusian authorities should refrain from bringing similar charges against media workers, and should bring their policies and practices in compliance with
#OSCE
commitments.
While on an official visit to
#Malta
, I visited the grave to pay tribute to the courageous journalist
#daphnecaruanagalizia
, who was killed in 2017 for doing her work.
#Noimpunity
On International Day to
#EndImpunity
for Crimes against Journalists, let's unite in 1 voice to:
▶️ Condemn violence against the media
▶️ Urge for full investigations into crimes against journalists
▶️ Ensure that all perpetrators, including the masterminds, are brought to justice
Disappointing court decision yesterday in
#Serbia
to give a suspended sentence to the person responsible for the horrible death and rape threats sent to journalist Tatjana
@TVojtehovski
and her daughter. Such crimes must be severely punished and journalists protected.
#SOFJO
Concluding my official visit to
#Turkey
, I call on the authorities to urgently reverse the course of media freedom violations. I met with many courageous journalists. All imprisoned journalists should be released. Full statement:
I denounce recent threats against
@N1infoBG
in
#Serbia
. I also conveyed my concern to authorities, expressing hope that authorities will ensure that N1 Journalists can work without any kind of pressure. See full statement:
Concerned by incident with journalists blocked several minutes in
#Malta
Govt. building last night. More than ever the investigation into the murder of
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia
must be transparent, independent, free of any political interference. All those involved must face justice
Relieved that
@KadriGursel
is released from prison on probation in
#Turkey
. He should never have been prosecuted, all charges must be dropped & he should be free. Journalists should not be prosecuted for their work.
I am shocked by the death of journalist Maksim Borodin in
#Russia
; and I call for a full, transparent and independent investigation. Read my full statement here:
#JournoSafe
Support to
@LePoint
after several incidents in
#France
where supporters of President Erdogan took down the French weekly's cover from news stands and billboards. Intimidation against
#freemedia
and trying to export censorship to other countries is totally unacceptable.
#Turkey
I share concerns of Journalists Union of
#Turkey
@tgs_tr_org
. Publishing a list of journalists and writers critical of MHP in
#Turkey
is a dangerous move and an attack on
#mediafreedom
. Publicly targeting journalists by political leaders is unacceptable
I am shocked to learn that investigative journalist Olivera Lakic of
@Vijestime
in
#Montenegro
was shot in
#Podgorica
tonight. She is now in hospital. Perpetrators of this brutal attack must to be brought to justice swiftly & journalists safety ensured at all times.
#Endimpunity
I pay tribute to investigative journalist
#J
ánKuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová on the second anniversary of their murders, in
#Slovakia
. I await the outcome of the trial in this horrendous crime which cannot go unpunished.
#allforjan
See full statement:
I condemn the death threats against journalists Slobodan Georgiev &
@veceivan
in
#Serbia
. I commend the police's swift detention of the person responsible. Journalists must be able to work without such pressure & threats. I hope all incidents will be swiftly resolved.
#JournoSafe
I am shocked about claims by
#Turkey
that Saudi journalist Jamal
#Khashoggi
was murdered in Consulate. If confirmed, that’s an unprecedented crime against journalists. I trust Turkey authorities will unveil details. Those responsible for this horrific crime must face justice.
I welcome this court decision in
#Norway
and hope it sets an important precedent that threatening women journalists online or off
will not be tolerated.
#SOFJO
I condemn yesterday’s targeted attack against correspondent from
@dwnews
and
@LaCroix
, Thomas Jacobi, while reporting on a Golden Dawn demonstration in Athens,
#Greece
. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.
#JournoSafe
. See full statement here:
More harassment & intimidation of
#media
in
#Belarus
. According to
@baj_by
, law enforcement officials carried out over 60 searches in journalists’ offices & apartments the past two weeks. I strongly denounce these continuous violations of
#mediafreedom
⬇️
Governments must promote and protect access to and free flow of information during the
#coronavirus
#pandemic
. My joint statement with
@davidakaye
&
@edisonlanza
on the crucial importance of journalists’ work & rights in these times of crisis. See here:
2.5 years after the assassination of the courageous journalist
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia
in
#Malta
, we remember her. All the facts and circumstances surrounding her death have yet to be fully uncovered. No effort should be spared in bringing all those involved to justice.
I am concerned by the lawsuits and detention of journalist
@Prajdizan
in
#Croatia
. Punishing journalists for sharing comments on social media hinders their right to express their free opinion. See full statement here:
I met with the courageous journalist Caroline Muscat
@muscatcar
from
@TheShiftNews
today in
#Malta
. She had numerous lawsuits against her after reporting and investigating on corruption cases. Investigative journalism is of public interest and must be protected.
During crises & conflicts, marginalized voices are always at greater risk. We need to protect pluralism & female voices. On today’s
#IWD2022
, I call on all actors to ensure the safety of all journalists & to empower women journalists.
#SOFJO
Read here ⬇️
On
#WorldPressFreedomDay
#WPFD2020
, I call on
#OSCE
participating States to let journalists work without fear or favour, especially in times of the
#COVID19
pandemic, when free media and free flow of information are even more essential to all citizens:
Warm congratulations to
@Dunja_Mijatovic
from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who has just been elected by the Assembly as the
@CoE
's new Commissioner for Human Rights! She will serve a six-year term, beginning in April.
I am very sorry to hear about the death of well-known Ukrainian photojournalist Maksim Levin, yet another casualty during the
#Russia
invasion of
#Ukraine
. My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time.
I strongly condemn detention of Austrian journalist Max Zirngast today in
#Turkey
. He was reportedly arrested on terror- related charges for articles he had written. Journalists must not be prosecuted because of their professional work. I urge authorities to release him.
Today marks the sad fifth anniversary of the murder of
#DaphneCaruanaGalizia
, the fearless Maltese reporter who sought truth and refused to be silent. Her legacy lives on as we continue defending
#mediafreedom
and urging for full justice to be served soon.
#NoImpunity
On my way to
#Turkey
for a 4-day visit to
#Ankara
and
#Istanbul
, to meet with authorities, journalists, civil society and lawyers. Will discuss
#mediafreedom
situation at a critical time and respect for OSCE commitments.
Grateful to
@mcaruanagalizia
for his very moving intervention at
#HDIM2018
reminding us how important
#mediafreedom
and safety of journalists are. I will keep calling for a full and transparent investigation into his mother's murder.
#journosafe
Deeply concerned about the long prison sentences that the courts in
#Belarus
recently handed to bloggers Eduard Palchys, Vladimir Tsyganovich & Igor Losik. Criminal prosecution of media workers & other continuous violations of
#mediafreedom
in the country should stop immediately.
Seriously concerned with new law in
#Hungary
, introducing 5-year jail terms for spreading falsehoods about
#COVID19
& govt's response. The law risks penalizing independent journalists rather than disseminators of disinformation. See earlier statement:
I strongly condemn the murder of journalist
#ArkadiyBabchenko
in
#Ukraine
and call for swift and complete investigation. ➡️ See my full statement here ➡️
I am very saddened by today’s killing in
#Luhansk
region of Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff,
#France
journalist for
@BFMTV
. He is another casualty of the horrible ongoing
#Russiainvasion
in
#Ukraine
. My deepest condolences and sympathies go to his family, friends and colleagues.